Reduction of uranium oxide U3O8 into uranium dioxide UO2 by ammonia

The reduction of uranium oxide U3O8 into uranium dioxide UO2 has been studi ed by temperature-programmed thermogravimetry, up to 700 degreesC. Experime nts have been carried our either in ammonia(P-NH3 ranging from 35 to 125 hP a) or hydrogen (P-H2 ranging from 42 to 243 hPa), The gases evolved and con sumed during the reduction were followed simultaneously by mass spectrometr y. The reduction of U3O8 by ammonia into UO2 begins at 550 degreesC, and is completed at about 650 degreesC. It has been noticed that ammonia decompos ition occurs at 700 degreesC; moreover, it is catalysed by UO2 produced by the reduction of U3O8, since no decomposition is observed in the absence of UO2. Besides, some isothermal experiments carried out at 510 degreesC have confirmed that ammonia reacts directly with U3O8 since the shape of the cu rves obtained either in ammonia or in hydrogen are different, particularly, the reaction is faster with ammonia compared to hydrogen, for the same par tial pressure of the reducing gas. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.